Watch NASA Astronaut Kjell Lindgren Teach Leave No Trace from Space

During the 300+ days that Dr. Kjell Lindgren circled above Earth aboard the International Space Station, he was often struck by the beauty and fragility of the blue globe below. “From space, you get a profound sense of the many effects humanity has on our planet and the vital importance of sharing the simple things we can all do to help protect it.” Lindgren recently told representatives from the Leave No Trace organization.

Along with being a flight surgeon and serving as a NASA astronaut since 2009, Lindgren is a certified Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor. This August, he met with the Leave No Trace staff at their headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, and shared his enthusiasm for teaching the Seven Principles and other tenets of outdoor ethics.

Dr. Lindgren generously answered a few questions the Leave No Trace staff asked during his visit. Read on for his answers and another example of the fantastic videos he recorded from space.

Q: During your first space station flight, your crew conducted more than a hundred scientific experiments, including growing a crop of lettuce. What does space lettuce taste like?

A: It tasted just like…lettuce! Growing plants was one of our most popular experiments. I think every crewmember enjoyed watching plants grow in the otherwise sterile environment of the space station. The smell of the plant enclosure reminds us of Earth. The red romaine lettuce I grew during my first flight tasted great. I was surprised by how well it grew!

Q: What are your favorite things about being a scoutmaster and a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor?

A: Scouting has been a big part of my family life. I’m an Eagle Scout and my two sons are scouts. As an assistant scoutmaster for my sons’ scout troop, we’ve gotten to camp, hike, kayak on a regular basis – and even backpack in the Philmont Scout Ranch together. The orbital perspective has inspired me to be a better steward of the Earth and its resources and to emphasize outdoor ethics, conservation service, and Leave No Trace principles in our scouting activities.

Q: In one of the videos, you discuss a profound sense that many astronauts have experienced —that the Earth is beautiful but seems incredibly fragile when seen from space. How has that changed your perspective of our planet now that you are back on the ground?

A: Here on the Earth, resources like air and water seem infinite, but from orbit, it is clear that the Earth is a discrete oasis surrounded by the empty black void of space. Our home, our resources are finite. While we absolutely have to grow, gather and provide food, water and power to our communities, we have to be better stewards of the Earth and these resources. The issues we face are global and can feel overwhelming at an individual level. But if we each commit to being better stewards of resources in our homes, in our communities and in the outdoors – our individual actions can add up to make a profound difference. Practicing Leave No Trace principles in the outdoors gave me a simple framework to protect the outdoors and Spaceship Earth for my kids, and for generations to come. This is our home – the only planet we have. We have to take care of it!